Denise Stone, 43, of Columbia, died May 9, 2002, at the Columbia Regional Hospital in Columbia, MO, as a result of a kayaking accident.

She was born December 9, 1958, a daughter of Darrel J. and Yvonne (Perkinson) Stone, in Bloomfield, IA.

Denise was a 1977 graduate of Macon R-1 High School, Macon, MO. She received her bachelor's degree at Northeast Missouri State University and her master's degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Throughout her lifetime Denise was a sports and fitness enthusiast. She enjoyed many physical activities such as, playing basketball, mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, kayaking, running, swimming, and golfing. She was a member of the Macon First Christian Church.

Survivors include her parents; three sisters, Jaci Stone of Independence, MO, Andrea Stone of Gladstone, MO, and Michelle Waller and her husband, David of Fulton, MO; four aunts, Kathryn Davis of Bible Grove, MO, Elberta Shimp and her husband, Fred of Keytesville, MO, Carol Perkinson of Studio City, CA, Doris Stone of Edina, MO; two uncles, Alan K. Perkinson and his wife, Kay of Kansas City, MO, and Dale Barker of Bible Grove, MO; one nephew, Nathan Waller of Fulton, MO; one niece, Jessica Waller of Fulton, MO; several cousins; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Funeral services were held May 13, 2002, at the Carney-Armstrong Funeral Chapel in Macon, MO, with Pastor Phillip Nevius officiating. Burial was in the Hams Prairie Cemetery south of Fulton, MO.